Radlett father made MBE for services to people with learning disabilities

1:00pm Saturday 21st June 2014

By Charlotte Ikonen

A father from Radlett who set up a charity to help those with learning difficulties said being listed in the Queen’s birthday honours list was the "icing on the cake".

Barry Welck co-founded the Langdon Foundation 22 years ago and will be made an MBE for services to education for people with learning disabilities.

Mr Welck said the foundation was created after he failed to find adequate care for his son, who does not have short-term memory.

The 65-year-old said: "I started the work with three other parents because we had a son with mild learning difficulties and could not find good enough care.

"Our goal is to ensure the young people we support have the same opportunities as their peers.

"Any parent who has children with disabilities will know that it is stressful, and we struggled to find care for our son.

"I cannot believe how much the charity has grown, and we never knew how many people would benefit. It is amazing."

More than 100 people now work at the charity, which enables young Jewish adults aged over 16 with mild to moderate learning difficulties to live independent lives.

Langdon hse developed a unique network of supported living accommodation in London and Manchester that allows around 100 residents to live in their own homes with varying levels of support depending on individual needs.

Mr Welbeck, who lives on Newlands Avenue, added: "It is a great honour to be recognised and I am absolutely delighted.

"Over the years the charity has given me so much pleasure. And to receive an award is the icing on the cake."

Mr Welck will receive the honour at Buckingham Palace along with 1,149 people recognised for their outstanding contributions to British life.